Chapter 5

Chapter Five
Refuse to marry into the Prefect’s Mansion, marry a destitute man instead.

This was perhaps the most absurd statement Madam Qian had ever heard. She thought her daughter must have been driven mad by Lady Cui’s scheming interference and soothed her gently: “Rest assured, when you were one month old, a fortune-teller read your fate. Your life is destined for wealth or nobility; you are meant to marry into power and prestige. How could Lady Cui’s daughter ever compare to you…”

Although the Qian family’s fortunes paled in comparison to the Pu and Lu families, they still had confidence against the Cui household.

Worried that young Master Lan might encounter unforeseen troubles, Madam Qian hurriedly summoned a trusted servant and instructed, “Find out how much that saddle is worth. We must redeem it before the Cui family can make their move…”

In her youth, Madam Qian had frail health and spent many years taking medicine before finally bearing a daughter. Fortunately, the fortune-teller’s words about her daughter’s destined wealth or nobility comforted her in the face of having no sons.

Having lived with hope and pride for nineteen years, she was now firmly convinced that the youngest son of the Prefect was the ‘noble’ destined for her daughter.

Qian Tong had heard such words so many times they had become a bore. Simple-minded and stubborn, she saw no point in arguing further and never expected her mother to truly heed her words. She turned to Steward Cao and asked, “When will Father return?”

Steward Cao replied, “The head of the household said he wanted to gather more dowry for Madam. After leaving the Lan family, he hurried off to collect debts, threatening that if he couldn’t get the money today, he wouldn’t come home…”

For this marriage negotiation, the Qian family had already put forth all the money they could muster; only those uncollected bad debts remained.

Whether those debts could be recovered depended entirely on effort.

Given the head of the Qian family’s temperament—unwilling to offend anyone—it was unlikely he would return today.

Qian Tong, not wishing to wait, called out to her busy mother, “Mother, there’s no need to rush. I’ve already spoken with Master Lan. Knowing my lowly status and unworthiness, I will not delay his marriage.”

For once, she was listened to.

Madam Qian’s mind was in chaos; her daughter’s words struck her like a blow. She stood frozen for a moment before her expression changed sharply and she raised her voice, “What?!”

Qian Tong ignored her shock and said to Steward Cao, “Please tell Father to return as soon as possible.”

The Qian family had been rooted in Yangzhou for generations. By the time of Qian Tong’s generation, the family had four brothers. The eldest had died of illness before thirty, and the current head of the household was the second brother, Qian Minjiang—Qian Tong’s father.

No need to urge him further; upon hearing this, the head of the Qian family hurried back without pause.

When he arrived, he carried a stack of ledgers and held a pendant edged with gold and crafted with natural crystal lenses.

He was sweating from the haste and immediately scolded Qian Tong, “This is utter nonsense! Do you know how much effort your mother and I have put into this marriage? If you refuse, the Cui family is ready to take your place…”

Qian Tong met his gaze calmly, neither anxious nor agitated. “If the Cui family wants to marry me, that’s their concern, not mine.”

“You…” Qian Minjiang was so angry his words faltered, filled with frustration at his daughter’s stubbornness. “You are the one whose fate was read by a fortune-teller—you are born into wealth and nobility and will marry into an official’s family…”

The same old refrain.

Prepared for this, Qian Tong stood silently, enduring the barrage from both parents.

Madam Qian’s lips were blistered from so much talking. Though many times she wanted to lose her temper, she patiently reasoned, “Tong’er, young Master Lan is a bit rakish, but the Prefect’s wife promised us that once you enter their household, the frivolous women in the courtyard will be driven away. You must endure this moment; better days lie ahead…”

Qian Tong lowered her head slightly, her expression unchanged.

“Do you think she listens to such things? She’s always been headstrong, hasn’t she been spoiled by you? Now, the Prefect’s wife has come to visit, and you let her go? If the Lan family really marries into the Cui family, what will become of us Qians…”

“How am I spoiling her…”

The afternoon sunlight slanted through the doorway. Qian Tong’s gaze fixed on the shifting patterns of light at her feet, discerning fragments of bamboo leaves outside. The noisy voices faded until only the birdsong from the branches remained.

To others, her temperament matched her appearance—a seemingly obedient and sensible girl.

But she was not.

Her parents talked themselves hoarse with no sign of moving her. “No matter what you say, Father and Mother, my mind is made up.”

Only when the family head threatened to administer family discipline did the servants realize the seriousness of the matter.

Word spread quickly. The third and fourth elder brothers, accompanied by the third and fourth madams and several concubines, arrived one after another. At first, they advised the head of the household not to lose his temper. After understanding the situation, they all tried to persuade Qian Tong.

Seven or eight voices spoke to one pair of ears, laying out all the pros and cons clearly.

All of them were acting for her own good.

Qian Tong looked over the crowd with a faint smile. “This scene is quite familiar; I went through the same two years ago.” It was this same crowd that had shaped her life, forcing her to obey. Then, she had no choice but to be manipulated.

But this time, they would not win.

Hearing her mention two years past, Madam Qian and the others fell silent. The whole room quieted.

Madam Qian sighed in pain, “Tong’er…”

***

Qian Tong had not come today to hear their regrets, only to await a result.

Just then, an elderly woman entered. She wore a simple robe; her hair was meticulously arranged, her demeanor dignified and solemn. She approached the head of the household, bowed respectfully, then looked up and said, “The old madam sends word: the marriage with the Prefect’s family is called off. Two years ago, the old madam promised Seventh Lady, and that promise stands.”

What promise had the old madam made two years ago?

The head of the Qian family was the first to recall. The old madam had publicly declared that aside from the four great families, who Seventh Lady chose to marry was her own decision.

Why refuse the Prefect’s mansion? Whom did she intend to marry instead?

Qian Minjiang sank heavily onto a cushioned bench. Unable to defy the old madam, he could only roar at Qian Tong, “You are foolish!”

Let it be foolishness, then.

As Qian Tong was about to rise and take her leave, the third madam suddenly spoke: “Brother, let’s keep this conversation indoors. The Prefect’s mansion has dangled this match for two years. Had they truly wished to marry, they would have agreed by now. Young Master Lan is fickle and easily swayed by those women, always lost. Our Sister Tong would suffer if she went there. I say, Sister Tong is right. At this critical moment, it’s better to avoid trouble, not to cling to some high-ranking family. Find someone familiar and of good character, and live a steady life. We survived all those years of war without relying on anyone, didn’t we?”

She bent slightly toward Qian Tong and asked, “Last year, my nephew came to the mansion. Sister Tong, you’ve met him, right?”

Rising is difficult; going down is easier. If the Prefect’s mansion was forbidden, there were plenty of other options.

Fourth madam also spoke up: “Even if not marrying into a high family, Sister Tong should find someone of equal standing. I fear the cousin mentioned by third madam is unsuitable. I have someone in mind—good character, handsome, and most importantly, lives nearby…”

***

In the backyard.

Song Yunzhi and Shen Che had been brought to a guest room.

One sat in a pearwood armchair, the other stood upright, gazing silently at the courtyard’s spring splendor.

The Qian family mansion was an ancestral home, originally a three-compound courtyard. Over time, through their salt mining skills and long cooperation with the court, it expanded, now occupying a third of the eastern street block.

The mansion was roughly divided into three parts, separated by corridors and windowed walls.

The central residence with a Buddhist hall belonged to the old madam. The western, river-facing six-compound courtyard was more secluded, housing the third and fourth brothers. The eastern row, facing the market street, housed the head of the family and his wife and daughter.

Because she was the head’s only daughter, Qian Tong alone occupied the west wing of the east side—a full three-compound space—with a special door opened on the southern wall for her private entrance.

White walls, dark tiles, ink wash shadows.

Inside the main hall was a rockery and flowing water feature. A row of walkways with scattered carved windows revealed framed scenes within: a blooming white magnolia here, a cluster of pink peach blossoms there.

At the corner skylight, bamboo shadows danced.

Looking up, the bright sun paired with crabapple blossoms.

Nothing ostentatious was visible, yet everywhere spoke of luxury—maintaining these plants must require countless hands and care.

Since stepping through the back door, Shen Che’s mood had swung through surprise, sighs, envy, bitterness, and then back to anger.

Upon entering this chamber and seeing the pearwood furniture, his resolve to root out villains peaked. Bitter and sour, he murmured, “I begged the Emperor for a garden. He said, at the founding of the nation, many meritorious officials awaited rewards, so I must wait longer. Five years passed; no garden came—but here I am living in one.”

With the talisman affixed to him, the other side showed no care even to close the door behind them. Song Yunzhi faced the courtyard, clenching his fists, frozen beyond the threshold.

Though the heir of the Marquis of Changping had seen much, Shen Che was not one to stir trouble but indignantly argued, “Brother Song, your courtyard is not even seven-tenths as grand as this one.”

They had entered through the back door, so the guest rooms they occupied were likely the most modest in the mansion, yet the furnishings were fine pearwood. One could only imagine how luxurious the main house of the ‘female thief’ was.

A salt merchant from Yangzhou living so extravagantly—more comfortably than even the noble scions.

This was abnormal.

“Lan Tianquan came to Yangzhou, no doubt already corrupted. We cannot wait any longer; we must find a way to eliminate this female thief before she continues to plunder the people.”

The heir Song said, “Her name is Qian Tong.”

Shen Che blinked, then stood straight from the chair. “Qian? The salt merchant family?”

Song Yunzhi nodded, having investigated the surrounding estates. He then sat in another armchair, setting his bronze sword on the wooden table.

Shen Che sneered, “At the founding of the nation, the four great families of Yangzhou looked down on the Emperor and refused aid. The Emperor, benevolent, refrained from reckoning with them immediately, giving them five years to recover. These corrupt merchants show no restraint, living lavishly. Has the Qian family forgotten that their salt license is nearing expiration?”

They were not unaware.

After so many years of war and such brief peace, the ironclad wealthy merchants and the fleeting emperors—they were merely watching, seeing how long this Emperor could sit on the Dragon Throne.

Shen Che’s mission here was to investigate merchants exploiting the people, but his aims went far beyond that.

Entering the tiger’s den, one must wield a sharp weapon to strike a fatal blow. Song Yunzhi was not swayed by Shen Che’s emotions. “Since we’re here, we must make ourselves at home.”

***

The two waited in the guest room through a sumptuous lunch into dusk. As night deepened, the young lady’s figure still did not appear. Shen Che could no longer hold back and asked the attending footman, “When will she come?”

The footman remained polite. “Please wait, sir. Once the mistress finishes her affairs, she will come to see you.”

They waited until the moon rose high in the branches.

The two had barely stepped off the boat before entering danger, narrowly escaping death multiple times. Exhaustion overcame even the most perilous situations. Shen Che slumped in the armchair, nodding off.

Song Yunzhi did not disturb him, drinking several cups of tea to stave off drowsiness.

At night, few lights burned in the courtyard; instead, the bright moon shone from the branches above.

After finishing half a cup of tea, Song Yunzhi looked up toward the opposite corridor and saw a ring of shifting light slowly approaching the guest room.

Drawing nearer, he could hear the faint footsteps growing louder until reaching the door.

The amber glow crossed the threshold, revealing the young lady’s face. She smiled lightly at him and apologized, “Sir, thank you for waiting.”

She had changed clothes, no longer wearing the plain white gown from earlier.

She wore brocade of shimmering light.

Song Yunzhi’s gaze was cold as she entered, stopping before Shen Che. She brought the lantern close, shining its beam sharply into his eyes, and instructed her maid behind, “Young Master Song is tired. Take him to rest.”

Shen Che was startled awake from his nap.

Opening his eyes, the sudden brightness nearly blinded him. Instinctively, he swept his hand across the lantern, but the young lady withdrew it just in time, standing opposite him to endure his glare.

Shielding his eyes, he scolded, “You female thief, I will kill you sooner or later…”

It was late; Qian Tong had no time to hear his tirade and interrupted, “I want to speak privately with your brother.”

Shen Che had long suspected her intentions and retorted sharply, “Brother Song and I have lived and eaten together since birth. What secrets do you think I cannot hear?”

In truth, he could not.

Unperturbed by his lack of tact, Qian Tong threatened, “Your brother has yet to take his medicine.”

This worked. The angry young master fell silent, casting a worried glance at his brother.

Song Yunzhi, too, wanted to probe her purpose. Exchanging a reassuring look with Shen Che, he said, “It’s nothing. You may leave.”

After a day of trials, Shen Che had lost much of his earlier confidence and looked uneasy. “Brother, this woman is no simple matter. Please be careful.”

Song Yunzhi was indeed capable, but he had little experience dealing with this young lady and had already been outwitted once by the ‘female thief.’ He must not underestimate her.

Qian Tong thought he worried too much, as if she were some terrifying beast.

She was not that dangerous.

After the young master left, she sat beside him, placing the lantern by their feet. The soft warm light caressed her pale green brocade, which shimmered with golden threads like fireflies on a summer’s night, casting scattered sparkles around her. Her cheeks reflected the speckled starlight, pure and radiant in the dark, her beauty innocent and harmless—no different from an unworldly maiden.

The stark contrast made Song Yunzhi momentarily distracted.

The young lady tilted her head, watching him closely. Seeing the flicker of surprise on his face, she smiled and asked, “Do you find it beautiful, sir?”

Song Yunzhi quickly turned his head.

Qian Tong lowered her gaze shyly but spoke boldly, “Even if you say it isn’t, I would not believe you. After all, the heart is hidden behind the belly. How do I know you are not speaking with a double tongue? I’d rather trust your eyes.”

What was wrong with his eyes?

Just as Song Yunzhi was about to ask, she withdrew a sheet of rice paper from her sleeve and handed it to him. “Sir, answer the questions written here tomorrow.”

Song Yunzhi eyed the paper, densely covered with writing.

His instincts told him it was no simple matter. He stared at her. “What do you want?”

“If you answer well tomorrow, you will enjoy endless wealth and honor.” Qian Tong did not answer directly. She gently brushed the paper against his sleeve. Her soft voice carried a clear tone of temptation, “Do you like this courtyard, sir? It will be yours.”

Her family had presented too many suitors, and she could no longer evade the issue. To give Song Yunzhi a legitimate claim, she agreed to hold a marriage selection test.

Tomorrow.

Tonight, she had come early to deliver the answers.